The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh has been awarded an AmeriCorps grant through its Center for Career Development and Employability Training (CCDET) and the UW Oshkosh Veterans Resource Center to create the new Vets Corps Program.

With the UW Oshkosh Veterans Resource Center’s goal of empowering veterans, service members and military dependents with the tools necessary for achieving their academic goals, and CCDET’s mission to offer customized and cost effective services to local, state and federal organizations to strengthen organizational capacity, both UW Oshkosh-based organizations are well-suited for the collaboration. CCDET also provides training, quality assurance, case management and project management services.

Both UW Oshkosh groups expect their project will benefit the institution’s student veterans and the community. The program was formed to serve UW Oshkosh student veterans and other students who are family members of veterans in the four-county area of northeastern Wisconsin, including Brown, Calumet, Outagamie and Winnebago Counties.

The AmeriCorps grant will use 22 quarter-time UW Oshkosh student Vet Corps members who will be placed in a variety of local nonprofit organizations. There, they will support the nonprofits’ missions while also acting as key resources for veterans and military families.

The Vet Corps members will be available to staff, volunteers and clients to provide information, organizational support and veteran-specific referrals. Their meaningful service opportunities will be offered for student veterans and provide much-needed, veteran-focused support to the local nonprofits.

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal grant-making agency that engages more than 5 million Americans in service through its core programs. The mission of the organization is to improve lives, strengthen communities and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.

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